Online Desk: Pakistani peacekeepers serving the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been honoured with UN medals for their exceptional service in protecting some 300,000 residents of Bentiu, the capital of the country’s Unity state, from catastrophic floods, according to a Mission’s press release received at UN Headquarters in New York Tuesday.

Numbering 272, the Pakistani Blue-Helmets “worked tirelessly” in building and maintaining dikes which kept 5,600 square kilometers of floodwaters from engulfing the Bentiu Internally Displaced Person camp, which shelters hundreds of thousands of people, as well as the surrounding area, infrastructure, and service providers, the release said.

As their missions comes to an end, the Pakistani unit received a citation for outstanding performance, and 23 blue helmets were awarded the prestigious Force Commander Commendation Card.

UNMISS Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Mohan Subramanian, who attended the ceremony commended the men and women of the Pakistani unit.

“Their efforts, serving in one of the toughest locations, have made immense contributions through effective, economical, and timely completion of critical engineering projects. These altruistic acts speak volumes of their professional commitment,” Gen Subramanian said.

The press release said, “Despite the compounded challenges of climate disasters, food crises, conflict, and disease outbreaks, the dedication of the Pakistani peacekeepers remains unwavering.

Their efforts have provided a semblance of normalcy and hope to the residents of Bentiu, showcasing the vital role of UN peacekeeping missions in addressing both environmental and humanitarian crises.

“As this unit prepares to welcome the next contingent of Pakistani Army engineers, they leave behind a legacy of safety and resilience in Bentiu.”